Why Shoaib Akhtar is upset over Pune ‘pitch-fixing’ controversy
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar expressed his shock over the alleged ‘pitch-fixing’ incident that took place ahead of India-New Zealand second ODI in Pune
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has expressed concerns after a ‘pitch-fixing’ claim shocked the cricket fraternity, just a few hours before the start of the second ODI between India and New Zealand in Pune. Akhtar said such instances should be dealt with an ‘iron fist’. (Pune ODI highlights | Scorecard)
Pandurang Salgaonkar, the 68-year-old former First-Class cricketer for a decade and the head curator at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Ground in Pune, was suspended after he was alleged to have agreed to tamper with the pitch.
Salgaonkar was also accused to have allowed journalists from India Today, posing as cricket bookies, on the pitch, which is strictly against the rules set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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In a series of tweets separated over several hours, Akhtar said he was ‘shocked’ to learn about the incident.
Salgaonkar was suspended following the sting operation which was revealed on Thursday morning, a few hours before the start of the second ODI in Pune.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) had immediately suspended Salgaonkar, and the match progressed after the pitch was inspected by ICC match referee Chris Broad.
